- Guilt and shame
- CBT and mindfulness
- Midlife transitions
About Merle
Merle Montalvo is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Mississippi with 23 years of experience. She works with common concerns such as stress, anxiety, grief, anger, low self-esteem, depression, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, and guilt and shame.
She understands life changes from personal and professional angles. Merle made a major career shift in midlife, so she often talks with people navigating big transitions. Her background includes outpatient, inpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), home health, and hospice settings.
Merle uses practical, evidence-informed approaches. She draws from cognitive behavioral techniques to change unhelpful patterns. She also uses mindfulness practices to help people notice their thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Her style is adaptable rather than one-size-fits-all. She mixes psychodynamic and solution-focused work when exploring underlying patterns and setting short-term goals. Motivational interviewing is part of how she supports change and sustainment.
Merle values cultural context and recognizes both individual differences and shared human experience. She aims to work with each person’s situation directly, helping them articulate goals and try concrete steps. Sessions are described in plain terms so people know what to expect before they begin.
Therapeutic approaches and online sessions
Merle uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness Therapy as core tools. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can help with anxiety, depression, and guilt. Mindfulness Therapy teaches noticing thoughts and feelings without getting swept away by them, which can lessen reactivity to shame and stress.She also draws on Motivational Interviewing to support readiness for change. That approach helps people clarify what they want and find practical next steps. Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process; she will work with the person to match methods to their goals and preferences rather than imposing a single style.
The original biography did not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives, avoid travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. Licensed professionals can use a mix of techniques online just as they do in person, and sessions can focus on practical skills, thought work, and planning small steps between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
23+ years
Listed in
Mississippi
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, anger, self-esteem, depression, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, ADHD, and guilt and shame among other issues.
How would she approach feelings of guilt or shame?
She combines cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness to help people notice thought patterns and try different responses to painful feelings.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 23 years of experience across outpatient, inpatient, IOP, home health, and hospice settings.
What is her professional credential and where is she based?
She is an LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) practicing in Mississippi.
Does she work in languages other than English or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does billing and cost work for sessions?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.